We Broke Up

{ ENTRY 29 • The Crown Ring }

I was walking back and forth inside our bedroom. Nakabihis ako ng simpleng sunday dress at ballet shoes. It still doesn't struck on my mind that I'm meeting my in-laws again. I don't know what to say with them nor what to explain if they asked me questions for the past six years of my life without Brent. O kung baka tanungin nila ako tungkol sa past namin ni Taehyung - ah, di ko na alam!

"Hey, would you please stop! Nahihilo ako sa'yo e." Brent reacted while his neck is turning from left to right. Nakaharang kasi ako sa pinapanuod niyang cricket match sa ESPN.

"Sorry naman." tumigil ako sa paglalakad tapos nag peace sign. Padarag akong umupo sa tabi niya sa couch at sinipa ng mahina ang binti niya. "Seryoso ka ba sa pagdala sa akin dito sa Hong Kong? "

Kumunot ang noo niya, "Yeah. I don't know how to throw jokes so when I do something like this, it's serious. I'm serious."

I bit my lower lip tapos niyugyog ko ang balikat niya, "Aish, nagawa mo pang manuod ng TV habang ako sasabog na sa kaba! Paano pag sinabon ako ng parents mo? Paano kung paghiwalayin nila tayo?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay saka kinusot ang ulunan ko. "Anneliese, we're not on a drama so stop whatever shit you are thinking."

"Paanong hindi ako kakabahan e chill ka lang dyan na parang wala lang sayo yung mangyayari mamaya." I reminded him, I know that this meet will bring a lot of pressure later.

"Why should I be nervous? As if I am doing things wrong." He stretched his arms and stood up from the couch. Hinawakan niya ng mahigpit ang wrist ko tapos hindi ko na namalayang nakalabas na pala kami ng kwarto.

"Brent, teka. Eto na ba 'to? Am I meeting your parents again? Baka kainin nila ako ng buhay!" Pag-oover exaggerate ko habang naglalakad kami pababa ng hagdan. I motioned myself to go upstairs again because my legs are really trembling.

"Ano ba, Lily?" He grabbed me again and this time he held me tightly. Ang sakit ha! "Pag ako napikon sa'yo, itutulak na kita dito sa hagdan e! I'm here, okay? So no need to feel nervous."

Huminga ako ng malalim at hinayaan na lang siyang dalhin ako kung nasaan man sina Mr and Mrs Sue-Chien. Habang papalapit kami doon sa study, palakas nang palakas din 'yung dagundong ng dibdib ko na halos sasabog na yata talaga. I even saw the twins rubbing elbows with each other. I can't seem to know what they are talking about but for sure the concerns about me and Brend and their parents.

"Are you two planning to eavesdrop?" Brent asked his brothers.

Imbis na sumagot, nagtulakan at nagturuan pa sila. "Hindi ah! Ito kasi si Kambal 2, Kuya. Sabi ko gusto kong mag-Macau ngayon e biglang gustong magpaalam kina Daddy." Kambal 1 reasoned out.

"Ulol, nagra-Russia ka nga mag-isa nang walang paalam kina Mom tapos sa Macau lang, magpapaalam ka? Wag ako! Gusto mo lang makichismis sa loob e." Si Kambal 2 naman.

"Umalis kayong dalawa dyan kung ayaw niyong pag-untugin ko kayo." He authoritatively told them tapos nag-give way sila sa aming dalawa.

Imbis na pumasok kami agad, huminto muna saglit si Brent tapos tinignan ng mataman ang kambal—motioning them to leave us. Nagtinginan sila tapos nagtatakbo bigla. I somewhat smiled through the twins gestures, they are so cute and mushy. XL version nga lang. Ang tatangkad kasi at ang buff ng mga katawan.

Bumalik na naman ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang kumatok si Brent sa pinto at tuluyan na kaming pumasok sa loob ng study. There we saw his parents—Mr Sue-Chien is sitting at the edge of the table while Mrs Sue-Chien is on the chair in front of him. Parehas na seryoso ang tingin nila sa amin pero mas malalim ang tingin ng Mom ni Brent. She still hurt, I know.